Cambridge University Press

978-0-521-18639-1 - Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language Practice Tests Reading and Writing
Alison Walford
Excerpt
More information

Introduction
The Edexcel IGCSE ESL is the International General Certificate of Secondary Education in English as a
Second Language which is offered by the Edexcel Examination Board.
The examination consists of three papers:
• Paper 1 Reading and Writing
• Paper 2 Listening
• Paper 3 Speaking.
Paper 3 is optional.
All candidates take the same examination.
The Edexcel IGCSE ESL is widely recognised by universities where evidence of English language ability is
an entry requirement.
This book provides practice in the tasks you have to complete for Paper 1 Reading and Writing.

A summary of the Edexcel IGCSE ESL examination

Paper 1 Reading and Writing
Time: 2 hours
There are six parts in this paper worth a total of 100 marks. Reading and writing are given equal
weighting. Paper 1 is worth 662½3 per cent of the total IGCSE mark.
Reading is tested in Parts 1, 2 and 3. These parts consist of a total of 40 questions and test a range of
reading skills. Each question is worth one mark. The passages used in the paper are adapted from texts
from newspapers, magazines, books and the Internet.
Writing is tested in Parts 4, 5 and 6, each of which is worth 20 marks. In Part 4 you are given a situation
which you have to respond to in an appropriate format and style such as a report or article. You will have
information about who you are writing to as well as what you need to include in your response. In Part 5
you are given a situation which you have to respond to in an appropriate format and style such as a letter,
email or fax. You will have information about who you are writing to as well as what you need to include
in your response. In Part 6 you are given a passage to read from which you produce a summary of certain
information contained in the text. You should use your own words and phrases as far as possible.
Paper 2 Listening
Time: 45 minutes
There are three parts in this paper and a total of 30 questions, each worth one mark. Paper 2 is worth
331½3 percent of the total IGCSE mark. A range of listening skills is tested. You will hear a variety of
recorded texts including monologues and dialogues. As the examination progresses the texts and tasks
become increasingly difficult. You will hear each recording twice. You will be given time at the start of

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-18639-1 - Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language Practice Tests Reading and Writing
Alison Walford
Excerpt
More information

Introduction

each part to read the questions and you should write your answers as you listen. The practice tests in
this book do not cover Paper 2.
Paper 3 Speaking
Time: approximately 12 minutes
This paper is optional and is separately assessed and endorsed by the Edexcel Examination Board. The
practice tests in this book do not cover Paper 3.
The speaking examination consists of an interview between an interlocutor and a candidate and this
interview is recorded and assessed by an examiner. There are three parts to the speaking examination.
In Part 1 you are asked general questions about, for example yourself, your family, your friends and
your studies. In Part 2 you are given a topic and have one minute to prepare during which you may
take notes. You then have to talk on the topic for one to two minutes. In Part 3 you are asked questions
on the topic provided in Part 2. As this part of the examination progresses the speaking questions
become increasingly difficult and more abstract.

Paper 1 Reading and Writing in detail

Reading
The reading passages increase in length and difficulty and you will need to read efficiently in order to
complete the paper in the time allowed. You will also need to use appropriate reading skills according
to the task.
Questions
The questions include multiple-choice, multiple-matching, short-answer questions, sentence
completion, note completion and True/False/Not given questions.
• Part 1 The passage consists of a collection of short texts such as advertisements or leaflets giving
advice. The tasks require you to match or locate information contained in the texts. Part 1 tests your
ability to skim and scan a reading text.
• Part 2 The passage consists of a longer piece of text such as a newspaper article, advertisement or
leaflet. The tasks vary, but they test your ability to read both for gist and detail.
• Part 3 The passage consists of a long piece of text such as a newspaper article. It could also come
from an academic source, although it will be of general interest. The tasks vary, but they test your
ability to read both for gist and detail, your ability to follow a line of argument, and your ability to
identify attitudes and opinions expressed in the text.
General advice on Reading Parts 1, 2 and 3
Before the examination:
• Get into the habit of reading in English regularly.
• Read texts from a wide variety of sources such as newspapers, magazines and the Internet.
• Get plenty of practice in the types of questions used in the examination.
During the examination:
• Read all the instructions given at the beginning of each task.
• Take note of the number of words required to answer the questions. When you write your answer,
do not exceed the required word limit.
• In your answers, use words and phrases taken from the passage. Do not provide your own words.

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-18639-1 - Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language Practice Tests Reading and Writing
Alison Walford
Excerpt
More information

Introduction

• Make sure when you copy the words from the text into your examination booklet that you spell
them correctly.
Writing
• Part 4 This is a piece of writing such as a report or article. For example, you may be asked to write
a report for the school principal about a particular issue in the school and also suggest ways of
dealing with it. You must write between 100 and 150 words for this part.
• Part 5 This is a piece of writing such as a letter, email or fax. For example, you may be asked to
write an email to a friend inviting them to stay during the holiday. You must write between 100 and
150 words for this part.
• Part 6 This is a semi-formal piece of writing based on a reading passage from which you must
produce a summary of certain information contained in the text. For example, you may be asked
to read a passage containing a lot of information about parrots, and you must write a summary on
where parrots live and what they eat. You must write between 100 and 150 words for this part.
General advice on Writing Parts 4 and 5
Before the examination:
• Get plenty of practice in the types of writing tasks used in the examination.
During the examination:
• Tone and register – remember who you are writing to and why you are writing. Use the correct
words and expressions for the situation.
• Task requirements – make sure you have addressed all the points in the question.
• Organisation – make sure your writing is well organised with clear paragraphs and that your
sentences are logically linked. You may want to use subheadings, as in the model answers, but
these are not essential to success.
• Layout – make sure your answer is properly laid out according to appropriate conventions, e.g. a
letter or a report.
• Proofread your answer – make sure you give yourself time at the end to read through and correct
your errors.
• Word count – remember you must write between 100 and 150 words.
General advice on Writing Part 6
In addition to the advice on Parts 4 and 5 above, here is some general advice on writing a summary for
Part 6.
• Paraphrasing – you must use your own words and phrases as far as possible. However, there may be
some key words in the text that you will need to use.
• Copying – you must not copy sentences or chunks from the text.
Steps for writing a summary
1 Read the question carefully and identify the information required in the summary.
2 Read the text.
3 Underline the main points required for the summary.
4 Re-read the question and consider what the summary is for, who will read it and how formal the
language needs to be.

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-18639-1 - Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language Practice Tests Reading and Writing
Alison Walford
Excerpt
More information

Introduction

5 Write your summary in note form in your own words.

6 Put the original text to one side.
7 Write an introductory sentence for the summary.
8 Use your notes to write the summary. Make sure your writing is well organised and in clear
paragraphs and that your sentences are logically linked.
9 Check your word count.
How Parts 4, 5 and 6 are marked
All writing tasks are assessed on the following criteria.
• Communicative quality Have you followed the instructions exactly? Have you used the
appropriate tone and register? Is your message clear and relevant?
• Lexical accuracy and range Have you used a variety of appropriate vocabulary accurately?
• Grammatical accuracy and range Have you used a variety of grammatical forms accurately and
appropriately?
• Effective organisation Is your writing well organised? Have you used paragraphs appropriately?
Are your sentences logically linked?

Answer key and model answers

At the end of the book is a removable answer key including model answers. However, your teacher
may have removed it to be stored separately.

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-18639-1 - Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language Practice Tests Reading and Writing
Alison Walford
Excerpt
More information

Practice
test 1

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-18639-1 - Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language Practice Tests Reading and Writing
Alison Walford
Excerpt
More information

Practice test 1

PART 1
Read the diary of events below and answer questions 1–10. Identify which paragraphs (A–I)
contain the information listed in questions 1–10 by marking ( ) for the correct answer. You must
choose answers only from the information given below. Paragraphs may be used more than once
or not used at all. If you change your mind, put a line through the box ( ) and then indicate
your new answer with a ( ).

Fleet City Council

There’s something for everyone this summer!

A 7–10 July: Twelfth Night

The male cast of the Lord John’s Men will perform this classic Shakespeare play of
mistaken identity in the Walled Garden of Bemingborough Castle. Book online or at the
box office on 01432 978432. Bring picnics, chairs, and rugs. Performance starts at 7 pm.

B 15–18 July: Treasure Island

Free children’s theatre in the Summer House, Bemingborough Castle. Hopscotch Theatre
present their adaptation of this classic children’s novel to start the school holidays.
Come as a pirate and enter the prize draw. Normal admission fees to the Castle apply.
Performance starts at 2 pm.

C 23–25 July: A Taste of Georgian Dining

Put on a wig, waistcoat or gown and join us for dinner. Go back in time and sample an
eighteenth-century banquet. On the menu there will be traditional favourites such as
turkey, pies and pastries. Dinner will be served in the Town Hall Gallery from 9 pm. £25.
All proceeds will go to Guide Dogs for the Blind.

D 26 July: Primary Prom

The Primary Prom provides an opportunity for young people to experience live music in a
concert hall. Featuring the National Under-15s
Orchestra. Special workshops are available in the
morning for aspiring singers. 10 am–4 pm. For details,
telephone 01784 878357.

E 1–3 August: Fleet Choir

The Guildhall, Fleet. Whether your taste is for
contemporary or classical, West End or opera, folk or
spiritual, the Fleet Male Voice Choir’s extensive repertoire
will offer entertainment and pleasure. Tickets: £15 per
person from the Central Booking Office. Starts at 7 pm.

F 8–9 August: Bambridge Park Water Weekend

The Park’s usually tranquil lake will be full of boats
during this summer’s Water Weekend. With market
stalls and a funfair along the water’s edge, and all sorts
of boats to hire, there will be lots to enjoy both on the
water and on land. Bring a picnic or use the barbecue
facilities at the lunch areas by the lake. Entry free.

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-18639-1 - Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language Practice Tests Reading and Writing
Alison Walford
Excerpt
More information

Practice test 1

G 14 August: Jennie Hold

In addition to her much-loved appearances on our screens, Jennie’s DVD Shout Out Loud
won the Comedian’s Award this year. Through her dry wit and classic one-liners she
will cast her eye over life, family holidays and chocolate. Tickets: £20 from the Central
Booking Office. Starts at 8 pm.

H 23–26 August: Midsummer Festival

The Solstice festival of music and literature is the latest addition to our calendar. Authors
and musicians will share their words and sounds with you. Book readings by crime writer
John Savage and children’s writer Mina Hall are just two of the highlights. Drumming
and guitar workshops will also be on offer. The festival finale is a free evening concert in
Bambridge Park featuring folk musicians the Chiefs and rock band the Curves. For details,
phone 01432 874560.

I All summer: Play Days

You will find Play Days in the atrium of Kingswood Shopping Mall this summer holiday. It
is equipped with a soft play area, jungle gym and slide, so toddlers can play safely while
Mums and Dads watch and enjoy a coffee. £2 per session.

Questions 1–10
Mark ( ) for the correct answer. Paragraphs may be used more than once or not used at all. If you
change your mind, put a line through the box ( ) and then indicate your new answer with a ( ).
Answers
Which event A B C D E F G H I
1 offers old-fashioned food?
2 is designed for very young children?
3 offers a chance to cook outdoors?
4 offers a wide range of music?
5 is a play held outdoors?
6 offers a chance to win something?
7 is for one night only?
8 lets children listen to stories read by the writer?
9 lets you play musical instruments?
10 plans to raise money for charity?

TOTAL FOR PART 1: 10 MARKS

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-18639-1 - Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language Practice Tests Reading and Writing
Alison Walford
Excerpt
More information

Practice test 1

PART 2
Read the following magazine article about saffron and answer questions 11–25.

MELLOW YELLOW
The news that people are once more growing
saffron in La Mancha is welcomed by Antonio
Sotos, who produces the world’s finest saffron
in this dry, fertile region in central Spain.
‘Thirty years ago, Spain was producing
50,000 kg of saffron a year; now it is 50 kg,’
he says. Saffron was once a currency in less
wealthy times. Extremely labour-intensive to
handpick and process, since each saffron crocus
produces only three strands of saffron and it
takes up to half a million strands to produce a
kilogram, it is the world’s most expensive spice.
But once dried and packed it lasts for years
and is worth €320 per 100 g to the farmer. ‘In
the past farmers in the saffron-growing regions
would have a small crocus plantation,’ Sotos says.
‘They’d keep the saffron for a “rainy day”, like
when the son of the family wanted to get married
or when they needed to buy a new tractor.’
During the 1980s and 1990s property boom
the farmers moved away from growing saffron.
As a result, cheaper imports flowed into Spain
from the main saffron-producing countries of
Iran, India, Morocco and Italy. Fake saffron
also started to appear. But now families are
dusting off the traditional wooden safe where
they keep their stock of saffron, and wedding
clothes may once again be stitched – from the
proceeds of flowers, appropriately enough.
Maria José Román, a chef from Alicante
province on the south-east coast, is particularly
interested in saffron. ‘The best way of telling if
the saffron is real is to put it in water,’ she says.
‘If the water turns yellow slowly, it is genuine.
If the water colours immediately but only to
a straw colour, it probably contains dye.’ The
difference between the saffron from Spain’s
main competitors and La Mancha saffron is that
although they are both made from real flowers,
they are processed differently. The crocus field
in La Mancha has a life of four years before
it should be put to fallow or the quality of the
scent diminishes. In some countries they leave
the crop in the field for eight years.
‘But the way that it is toasted after picking
is important, too,’ says Román. The only
way to get the flavour of saffron is to toast
it quickly, but in other countries it is spread
on newspaper and left to dry. ‘It will have its
colour, but no aroma,’ she adds. Other saffron
is cut with the flavourless male yellow stamens
from the same crocus, and is sometimes dyed.
This is not to say it goes on to the market as a
bargain item.
The flavour and aroma in saffron is a bitter
glucoside called picrocrocin, which after
drying breaks down to release an oil, safranal.
There are many other aroma compounds, all
of which combine to release saffron’s intense
‘fresh hay’ scent. Such disproportionate power
from a tiny source has encouraged various
beliefs in its powers through history, including
protection from the Black Death and as an
aphrodisiac. Safranal is also known to have
antidepressant properties.

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-18639-1 - Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language Practice Tests Reading and Writing
Alison Walford
Excerpt
More information

Practice test 1

Once the crocuses have been harvested in
October, women workers process the flowers.
Their quarry is the precious filaments, poking
out from between the wilting, silky petals.
They come in two colours – brick-red stigma
and yellow stamens. The pickers use fingertips
to pinch off the red filament, which is thicker
at the tip than at the base, discarding the rest.
To include the yellow filaments would be
cheating. Even with their fast-moving fingers,
stained yellow like those of a smoker, the
women’s progress is incredibly slow.
Román and I set off to her restaurant with a
bag of freshly toasted saffron. She is keen to
show how she makes the most of her favourite
spice. That evening we try a paella with
chicken and broccoli, instantly made special
with the addition of saffron. She also cooks
potatoes in a saffron infusion, then adds
them to a simple egg tortilla, transforming it.
Most addictive are her tiny, bright-coloured
almond meringues, which she scatters beside
a fresh orange ice.
Román is protective of saffron. ‘There is
not enough knowledge yet – from housewives
to chefs, they don’t know the difference,’ she
says. In the past, pedlars of adulterated saffron
were at least fined, and sometimes executed.
Román is hardly asking for that, just a return
to growing more of the genuine article.

Source: Adapted from ‘Mellow yellow’, Rose Prince, Telegraph Magazine, 7 March 2009

Questions 11–20
Read the statements below and decide whether according to the text they are TRUE, FALSE or NOT
GIVEN. Mark ( ) for the correct answer. Paragraphs from the text may be used more than once or
not used at all. If you change your mind, put a line through the box ( ) and then indicate your
new answer with a ( ).
True False Not given
11 La Mancha is Spain’s main saffron-growing area.
12 Saffron has been used instead of money.
13 Saffron needs to be used soon after it has been processed.
14 In La Mancha, strands of saffron are sown into wedding clothes.
15 Crocuses are planted in a new field every four years to
maintain the colours of the flowers.
16 High-quality saffron includes male stamens.
17 In the past, saffron was used as a medicine.
18 Only the red filaments are kept.
19 Román uses saffron in sweet and savoury dishes.
20 Penalties these days for selling fake saffron in Spain are severe.

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org

Cambridge University Press
978-0-521-18639-1 - Edexcel IGCSE English as a Second Language Practice Tests Reading and Writing
Alison Walford
Excerpt
More information

Practice test 1

Questions 21–25
Complete the sentences below. Write no more than THREE words and/or numbers taken from
the text.
21 One saffron crocus provides no more than of saffron.
22 In Spain, farmers use a to store their saffron.
23 Saffron should be placed in to test whether it is genuine.
24 In Spain, saffron is straight after it has been picked.
25 Safranal is one of the found in saffron.
TOTAL FOR PART 2: 15 MARKS

10

© in this web service Cambridge University Press www.cambridge.org